Reproducing apparatus, recording apparatus and display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A reproducing method and apparatus for receiving and reproducing data and outputting the data into an external device. After reproducing the data, a descrambler corresponding to a type of the reproduced data is selected from a plurality of descramblers and the external device is authenticated by a selected authenticator which is included in a plurality of authenticators for authenticating the external device and corresponds to the selected descrambler, and the data is outputted.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/437,232, filedMay 14, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,645, which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 09/289,974, filed Apr. 13, 1999 now U.S. Pat.No. 6,578,149, the subject matter of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for reproducing video dataand audio data, and more particularly to an apparatus for reproducingdata and the apparatus for recording data which are arranged toreproduce and/or record data from/onto a recording medium based on copymanagement information.

A DVD-ROM has about seven times as large a volume as a CD-ROM. TheDVD-ROM may contain program codes for PCs as well as motion picturesoftware created by compressing video data and audio data. The DVD alsoincludes a DVD-RAM, a DVD-R, and a DVD-RW as its recording medium. Theserecording medium may record a large amount of data, which brings about apossibility of illegally copying software such as a motion picture. Thissort of illegal copy has to be prevented. Hence, a technique ofpreventing illegal copy becomes important. This technique is describedin the magazine “Nikkei Electronics” issued on Aug. 18, 1997, pages 110to 119, published by Nikkei BP publishing.

For example, the motion picture recorded on the DVD-Video disk istypically coded according to the CSS (content scrambling system). Hence,the copied data cannot be reproduced unless it is descrambled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Indeed, the above-mentioned magazine describes the reproduction of themedium where data is pre-recorded such as a DVD-video disk. However, itdoes not describe the reproduction of a recording medium where a usercan arbitrarily record data.

In the case of reproducing data scrambled according to the correspondingsystem to each recordable medium, it is necessary to take the step ofdiscriminating the corresponding recording medium to a comingreproduction signal before descrambling the reproduction signal.Further, it is also necessary to discriminate a type of data,concretely, if the data copy is allowed or prohibited, before thecontrol is executed.

In carrying out the foregoing object, according to an aspect of theinvention, an apparatus for recording and reproducing data includes aplurality of authenticating means so as to allow authentication betweenapparatuses by switching among the plurality of authenticating means incorrespondence to a type of data involved for carrying outauthentication corresponding to the kind of the data.

An apparatus for recording data includes a plurality of authenticatingmeans so as to allow authentication between apparatuses by switchingamong the plurality of authenticating means in correspondence to a typeof data involved for carrying out authentication corresponding to thetype of the data.

An apparatus for reproducing data includes a plurality of authenticatingmeans so as to allow authentication between apparatuses by switchingamong the plurality of authenticating means in correspondence to a typeof data involved for carrying out authentication corresponding to thetype of the data.

A data reproducing method according to another aspect of the inventioncarries out authentication between apparatuses by switching among aplurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a type of datainvolved for carrying out authentication corresponding to the type ofthe data.

A data recording method according to another aspect of the inventioncarries out authentication between apparatuses by switching among aplurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a type of datainvolved for carrying out authentication corresponding to the type ofthe data.

A data coding method according to another aspect of the inventioncarries out authentication between apparatuses by switching among aplurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a type of datainvolved for carrying out authentication corresponding to the type ofthe data.

An authenticating method according to another aspect of the inventioncarries out authentication between apparatuses by switching among aplurality of authenticating methods in correspondence to a type of datainvolved for carrying out authentication corresponding to the type ofthe data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for reproducing datacontaining copy control information according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment in which the apparatusfor reproducing data according to the invention is applied to a DVDdrive;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a composition of DVD sector data as an exampleof data containing codes on which a type of a recording medium and ascrambling structure of data are recorded;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a composition of identification (ID) data of aDVD;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for recording datacontaining copy control information according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another apparatus for reproducing datacontaining copy control information according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an arrangement in which an apparatusfor reproducing data according to the invention is applied to a DVDdrive so that the output signal is connected to a recordable device suchas a harddisk;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an arrangement in which an apparatusfor outputting data is applied to a monitor; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system provided with each deviceaccording to the present invention, such as a personal computer.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatus forreproducing data including copy controlling information according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereafter, the present invention will be described along the embodimentswith reference to the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for reproducing data containing copy controlinformation according to an embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, a recordable and reproducible medium such as a DVD will bedescribed. It goes without saying that it is not limited to an opticaldisk but may be applied to any kind of medium that stores data.

In FIG. 1, a numeral 1 denotes a first data reproducing apparatus. Anumeral 2 denotes a first reproducing unit. A numeral 3 denotes a firstswitch. A numeral 4 denotes a first authenticating unit a. A numeral 5denotes a second authenticating unit a. A numeral 6 denotes a thirdauthenticating unit a. A numeral 7 denotes a second data reproducingapparatus. A numeral 8 denotes a first authenticating unit b. A numeral9 denotes a second authenticating unit b. A numeral 10 denotes a thirdauthenticating unit b. A numeral 11 denotes a first descrambling unit. Anumeral 12 denotes a second descrambling unit. A numeral 13 denote asecond switch. A numeral 14 denotes a WM detecting unit. A numeral 15denotes an MPEG reproducing unit. A numeral 16 denotes data input. Anumeral 17 denotes data output. A numeral 18 denotes a first data bus. Anumeral 19 denotes a first authenticating bus. A numeral 20 denotes asecond data bus. A numeral 21 denotes a second authenticating bus. Anumeral 22 denotes a third data bus. A numeral 23 denotes a thirdauthenticating bus. A numeral 124 denotes a CSS authenticating unit a. Anumeral 125 denotes a CSS data bus. A numeral 126 denotes a OSSauthenticating bus. A numeral 127 denotes a CSS authenticating unit b. Anumeral 128 denotes a CSS descrambling unit. A numeral 129 denotes afirst authenticating block. A numeral 130 denotes a secondauthenticating block.

The operation of the present system will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

The data input 16, read from a disk by means of the first datareproducing apparatus such as a DVD drive, is descrambled according tothe recorded format by the first reproducing unit 2. In thisdescrambling operation, the first reproducing unit 2 operates to read atype of data including a code for indicating a type of the recordingmedium contained in the data (for example, a code for indicating if therecording medium is dedicated to reproduction or recordable), a code forindicating whether or not the data structure is scrambled, and a codefor indicating if the data is video or audio or copy limitation (forexample, a code for indicating copy permission, one-generation copypermission, or copy prohibition). Further, for an optical disk, the typeof the recording medium may be discriminated on a tracking signal of thedisk. Based on the pieces of information read by the first reproducingunit 2, the first switch 3 is switched so as to select the correspondingauthenticating unit to the read data. The authentication is done formaking sure of a person with whom the data is communicated, and keyinformation is sent/received for descrambling purpose. Received data hasbeen scrambled by the key and the data is descrambled using the key soas to protect the data.

The first authenticating unit a operates to authenticate areproduction-dedicated recording medium. The second authenticating unita operates to authenticate a recordable recording medium with its copylimited by copy limitation information. The third authenticating unit aoperates to authenticate a recordable recording medium with no copylimitation by copy limitation information. The CSS authenticating unit a124 is an authenticating means for the DVD drive to the existing CSS(Content Scrambling System). In this embodiment, the CSS authenticatingunit a 124 is described as an independent unit. It may be combined withnew authenticating units, that is, the first, the second, and the thirdauthenticating units a as a first authenticating block 129.

The data reproducing unit 2 is assumed to be an MPEG board for decodingthe MPEG data. The first authenticating unit b is positioned incorrespondence to the first authenticating unit a. The authentication isdone by the first authenticating bus 19. If the data is not proper, thedescrambling information is not passed as well as the data is disallowedto be outputted from the first data bus 18. Likewise, the second and thethird authenticating units b have the same correspondence with thesecond and the third authenticating units a. If the data is not proper,no authentication is done and the data output is stopped. Herein, forsimplifying the description, the authenticating buses and the data busesare respective to the three authenticating units. In actual, thecombination of one authenticating bus and one data bus may be switchedto each authenticating unit. The CSS authenticating unit b 127 operatesto authenticate the MPEG board corresponding to the existing CSS. Inthis embodiment, the CSS authenticating unit b 127 is described as anindependent unit. It may be combined with the new authenticating units,that is, the first, the second and the third authenticating units b asan authenticating block b 130.

The data transmitted from the first reproducing apparatus 1 to thesecond reproducing apparatus 7 through the first data bus is scrambledfor the purpose of preventing copy of the data in transmission. The dataon the reproduction-dedicated recording medium is scrambled in adifferent manner from the data on the recording medium with copylimitation given by copy limitation information. The data on therecordable recording medium with no copy limitation given by the copylimitation information is not scrambled because the copy of the data isnot required to be prevented. Under these conditions, the firstreproducing apparatus operates to transmit the type of the recordingmedium and the scrambled data through the effect of the authenticatingunit. Herein, the data on the disk with no copy limitation is notrequired to be scrambled for preventing the copy of the data. However,if no authentication is done only for the data, it is difficult todiscriminatingly detect the disk with no copy limitation and the diskillegally copied though the copy of the disk is originally limited.Hence, the authentication is done to the disk with no copy limitation.

If the authentication is done, the scrambled data is transmitted to thesecond data reproducing apparatus 7. The data bus through which the datais transmitted is selected according to the type of the recording mediumand the scrambling structure of the data transmitted by theauthenticating unit. The first descrambling unit 11 or the seconddescrambling unit 12 according to the medium type and the scramblingstructure are operated to descramble the data. Then, the descrambleddata is sent to the MPEG reproducing unit 15 through the second switch13. The WM (Water Mark) detecting unit 14 is used for detectingadditional information buried in the data decoded by the MPEGreproducing unit 15. In this embodiment, the water mark is detected asthe additional information. If the copy control information is detected,the data output is controlled according to the copy control information.In this embodiment, the MPEG reproducing unit 15 is controlled so as tocontrol the output of the data. The control method is not limited to it.For example, the output data may be controlled to be stopped ordiscarded on the bus.

Herein, the first reproducing unit 2, the first switch 3, the firstauthenticating unit a 4, the second authenticating unit a 5, and thethird authenticating unit a 6 are incorporated on the same LSI for thepurpose of making it difficult to pick up the data on the transmittingway. The first authenticating unit b 8, the second authenticating unit b9, the third authenticating unit b 10, the first scrambling unit 11, thesecond descrambling unit 12, the second switch 13, the WM detecting unit14, and the MPEG reproducing unit 15 are incorporated on the same LSIfor the purpose of making it difficult to pick up the data on thetransmitting way.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement in which the data reproducing apparatusaccording to the present invention is applied into the DVD drive. Thepresent embodiment concerns with a recordable and reproducible recordingmedium such as a DVD. It goes without saying that the recording mediumis not limited to an optical disk but may be applied to any kind ofrecordable and reproducible recording medium.

In FIG. 2, a numeral 24 denotes a DVD disk. A numeral 25 denotes a DVDdrive. A numeral 26 denotes a pick-up unit. A numeral 27 denotes apreamplifier. A numeral 28 denotes a first system control unit. Anumeral 29 denotes an MPEG reproducing board. A numeral 30 denotes asecond system control unit. A numeral 31 denotes a converter. A numeral32 denotes a monitor.

A signal read from the DVD disk 24 by the pick-up unit 26 is suppliedinto the first data reproducing apparatus 1. The first data reproducingapparatus 1 determines the operating state under the control of thefirst system control unit 28. The main operation of the DVD drive 25corresponds to the process up to this point. The signal reproduced bythe first data reproducing apparatus 1 is transmitted to the second datareproducing apparatus 7. The second data reproducing apparatus 7 isoperated to determine the operating state under the control of thesecond system control unit 30. The data reproduced by the second datareproducing apparatus 7 is converted by the converter 31 and then isoutputted into the monitor 32 on which the data is displayed. Theprocess up to this point corresponds to the main operation of the MPEGreproducing board 29.

FIG. 3 shows a composition of sector data of the DVD as an example ofdata containing codes having a type of the recording medium and ascrambling structure of the data recorded therein. In the DVD, theidentification data simply called ID and the copyright managementinformation called CPR_MAI are written before the main data of 2048bytes.

The copyright management information (CPR_MAI) covers both the copyrightmanagement information and the region management information. Theread-in area describes whether or not the data contains a specific datastructure (corresponding to the scramble structure) of the copyrightprotection system and whether or not the data may be reproduced on aspecified region. The data area describes whether or not the sectorcontains a material with a copyright, whether or not the data has aspecific data structure of the copyright protection system, and whetheror not the data is copy-limited (copy permission, one-generation copypermission, and copy prohibition).

FIG. 4 shows the composition of the ID data of the DVD.

The ID contains a reproduction-dedicated data called a data type or anauxiliary code for write-once data and rewritable data in the first fourbytes of the sector information.

A sector format type described a CLV format type specified by thereproduction-dedicated disk and the write-once disk or a zone formattype specified for a rewritable disk. An area type records a data area,a read-in area, a read-out area, or a middle area of areproduction-dedicated disk. The data type is spared for thereproduction-dedicated data or the write-once data (link data) and therewritable data.

FIG. 5 shows a recording apparatus for recording data containing thecopy control information according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The present embodiment concerns with a recordable andreproducible recording medium such as a DVD. It goes without saying thatthe recording medium is not limited to an optical disk but may beapplied to any kind of recordable and reproducible medium.

In FIG. 5, a numeral 51 denotes a second data recording apparatus. Anumeral 52 denotes a first recording unit. A numeral 53 denotes a fourthswitch. A numeral 55 denotes a second authenticating unit d. A numeral56 denotes a third authenticating unit d. A numeral 57 denotes a firstdata recording apparatus. A numeral 59 denotes a second authenticatingunit c. A numeral 60 denotes a third authenticating unit c. A numeral 62denotes a second scrambling unit. A numeral 63 denotes a third switch. Anumeral 64 denotes a WM detecting unit. A numeral 65 denotes an MPEGcoding unit. A numeral 66 denotes a data output. A numeral 67 denotes adata input. The numeral 20 denotes a second data bus. The numeral 21denotes a second authenticating bus. The numeral 22 denotes a third databus. The numeral 23 denotes a third authenticating bus.

The data input 67 such as video data read from the disk by the firstdata reproducing apparatus such as a DVD drive and outputted on themonitor is coded according to the format for converting and recordingthe digital data by the first recording unit (52). At this time, thetype of the data such as a code for indicating the type of the recordingmedium (for example, a code for indicating if the medium isreproduction-dedicated or recordable) is written according to theformat. As another type of data, for example, the code for indicating ifthe data structure is scrambled by copy control and the code forindicating copy limitation (for example, a code for indicating copypermission, one-generation copy permission or copy prohibition) iswritten as well. Next, if the data needs copy control, the scramblingbased on the recording medium and the state of copy control is carriedout. Herein, the third switch is switched on the copy controlinformation so as to select the authenticating unit.

The water mark detecting unit 64 operates to detect the copy controlinformation that is additional information added to the data inputtedinto the MPEG coding unit 65. The control is executed according to thecopy control information. For example, if the detected informationindicates copy prohibition, the output of the recording data is stopped.If it indicates no copy limitation, the coding process is executedwithout scrambling. In this embodiment, the MPEG coding unit 65 isserved to control the output of the data. The control method is notlimited to it. The method may be the stop of the output data, thebreakage of the data on the bus, and so forth.

The second authenticating unit c operates to authenticate the recordablerecording medium whose copy is limited by the copy limitationinformation. The third authenticating unit c operates to authenticatethe recordable recording medium whose copy is not limited by the copylimitation information.

Further, though not illustrated in this embodiment, like the reproducingapparatus, the authenticating unit corresponding to the existing CSS maybe included in this embodiment. This CSS authenticating unit may becombined with those authenticating units as an authenticating block.

The first data recording apparatus is an MPEG board for encoding theMPEG data.

The second authenticating unit d has the corresponding relation with thesecond authenticating unit c. The authentication is done through the useof the second authenticating bus 71. If it does not have thecorresponding relation therewith, no descrambling method is passed andthe output of the data from the second data bus 70 is stopped. The thirdauthenticating unit d has the corresponding relation with the thirdauthenticating unit c. If it does not have the corresponding relationtherewith, no authentication is done and the output of the data isstopped. Herein, for simplifying the description, the authenticatingbuses for two combinations of authenticating units and the data busesfor transmitting the data from the authenticating units are described asindependent buses. One combination of a data bus and an authenticatingbus may be switched for two authenticating units.

The data transmitted from the first data recording apparatus 51 to thesecond data recording apparatus 57 is scrambled for the purpose ofpreventing the copy of the data in transmission. The data whose copy isnot limited by the copy limitation information is not scrambled becauseit does not need copy protection.

Hence, the first data recording apparatus 1 operates to transmit thescrambled data through the use of the authenticating unit. The thirdswitch 63 is served to select a proper one of the buses that pass thescrambling unit 2 according to the data and do not pass the scramblingunit so that the proper scrambling to the data may be executed.

When the authentication is done, the data is transmitted as beingscrambled. The authenticating unit is executed to select the data busthat is allowed to transmit the data according to the type of therecording medium and the scrambling structure of the data. Then, thedata is sent to the first recording unit 52 through the fourth switch53.

Herein, the second authenticating unit c 59, the third authenticatingunit c 60, the second scrambling unit 62, the third switch 63, the WMdetecting unit 64, and the MPEG coding unit 65 are incorporated on thesame LSI for the purpose of making it difficult to pick up the data onthe transmitting way. The first recording unit 52, the fourth switch 53,the second authenticating unit d 55, and the third authenticating unit d56 are incorporated on the same LSI for the purpose of making itdifficult to pick up the data on the transmitting way.

FIG. 6 shows an apparatus for reproducing data containing the copycontrol information according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment selectively uses one combination of a databus and an authenticating bus for all the authenticating units in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, though the embodiment in FIG. 1 contains thecorresponding combination of a data bus and an authenticating bus toeach of the authenticating units. In the following embodiment, the samenumerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same components.

In FIG. 6, a numeral 70 denotes a unified data bus. A numeral 71 denotesa unified authenticating bus. A numeral 72 denotes a switch forswitching the authenticating units included in the first authenticatingblock. A numeral 73 denotes a switch for switching the authenticatingunits included in the second authenticating block. This arrangementresults in making it possible to serve one data bus and oneauthenticating bus for all the authenticating units, thereby reducingthe connecting lines between the apparatuses in number.

FIG. 7 shows the arrangement in which the data reproducing apparatusaccording to the present invention is applied to the DVD drive and theoutput signal of the DVD drive is connected to a recordable device suchas a harddisk. The present embodiment concerns with the recordable andreproducible recording medium such as a harddisk. It goes without sayingthat the recording medium is not limited to the recordable andreproducible recording medium such as a harddisk but may be applied toany kind of device that sends and receives data though the data bus.

In FIG. 7, a numeral 80 denotes a harddisk device. A numeral 81 denotesa first recording device. A numeral 82 denotes a system control unit. Anumeral 83 denotes a harddisk.

The signal read out of the DVD disk 24 by the pick-up unit 26 issupplied into the first data reproducing device 81 through thepreamplifier 27. The first data reproducing device 81 determines theoperating state under the control of the first system control unit 28.The process up to this point corresponds to the main operation of theDVD drive 25. The signal reproduced by the first data reproducing device1 is transmitted into the first data recording device 81. The first datarecording device 1 determines the state of the recording operation underthe control of the third system control unit 82. The data reproduced bythe first data recording device 81 is recorded onto the harddisk 83. Theprocess up to this point corresponds to the main operation of theharddisk device 80.

Herein, the device that records data is required to control therecording along the copy control information. In order to make sure thatthe device has a function of properly controlling the recording, thefirst data reproducing device 1 has to authenticate the second datarecording device 81. The data passed from the first data reproducingdevice 1 to the first data recording device 81 is scrambled intransmission if the data has to be protected. Hence, the first datareproducing device 1 and the first data recording device 81 providesmeans for scrambling data, means for descrambling data, and means forpassing a scrambling key. If the authentication is failed, the firstdata reproducing device 1 stops the data output to the second datarecording device 81. If the data output is done, the data is scrambledand no key is passed, so that the data cannot be correctly reproduced.It means that if the scrambled data is directly recorded in therecording device, the data cannot be correctly reproduced.

Further, herein, the description concerns with the transfer of the datawith the recording device. About the reproducing device and the outputdevice, likewise, the DVD drive operates to authenticate if thereproducing or the output device enables to correctly control thecopying operation for the purpose of protecting the data. The provisionof these means in transferring the data makes it possible to correctlycontrol copying of copyrighted data and prevent illegal copying orreproduction.

FIG. 8 shows the arrangement in which the data output apparatusaccording to the present invention is applied into a monitor. Thepresent embodiment concerns with the monitoring output, for example. Itgoes without saying that it is not limited to the monitor but may beapplied to any kind of device that serves to receive and send the datathrough the data bus.

In FIG. 8, a numeral 90 denotes a monitor. A numeral 91 denotes a thirddata processing device. A numeral 92 denotes a converter. A numeral 93denotes a display device.

The MPEG board 29 outputs the data onto the monitor 90. The datainputted into the monitor 90 is converted by the converter 31 and thenoutputted onto the monitor 32 on which the image is displayed. Theprocess up to this point corresponds to the main operation of themonitor.

If the data is inputted into the monitor 90 through the data bus 100,the data may be scrambled for protecting the data from being illegallyrecorded. In this case, the third data processing device 91 operates todescramble the data and then output the resulting data into theconverter 92. It means that the third data processing device 91 needsthe corresponding authenticating unit to the MPEG board 29. Theauthenticating unit may operate to authenticate that the output from theMPEG board 29 is outputted only to the display device such as themonitor 90, not to the recording device. If no recording device isconnected, the data is not illegally copied. Hence, when the data isoutputted onto the monitor 90, it is not necessary to scramble the data.

The provision of these means in passing the data results in making itpossible to correctly control the copying operation of the copyrighteddata, thereby preventing illegal copying and reproduction.

FIG. 9 shows reproducing or recording and reproducing apparatusconfigured as a system, for example, a personal computer, having aplurality of data processing means (herein after referred to as a“device”), such as the above-explained data reproducing apparatus, datarecording and reproducing apparatus and so on. The personal computer mayeasily change the layout of those devices. Hence, the combination ofthose devices is not limited to the combination described in thisembodiment but may concern the combination of all the devices that passthe data.

In FIG. 9, a numeral 101 denotes an MPEG board. A numeral 102 denotes aMO drive. A numeral 103 denotes a digital camera.

The personal computer is arranged to pass the data among the devicesthrough the data bus 100. The authentication is done to the devicesconnected with the data bus.

If no authentication is established, it is determined that the devicedoes not provide a function of correctly controlling the copyingoperation. The data output is stopped. At this time, if the data ispermitted to be merely reproduced. The data output is made possible onlyif no recording device is connected to the data bus and the connecteddevices have only the reproducing function.

Further, if no authentication is established, the data may be passed onthe data bus only if the data to be passed has no copy limitation.

These authentications are made possible by the circuit provided in eachdevice. Instead, in such a case as the personal computer, the softwarefor controlling each device may provide the authenticating function.Further, the authentication may be done on the operating system forsystematically controlling each device. Then, according to theauthenticated result, each device may be controlled.

As described above, the authentication is executed between the devicesconnected with the data bus according to the type of the data. Accordingto the result, the transfer of the data may be controlled. This makes itpossible to correctly control the copying operation.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatus forreproducing data including copy controlling information according toanother embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus of FIG. 10 isan example in which the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is formed within oneapparatus as in, for example, consumer DVD players. In such apparatuses,since it is difficult to interchange the DVD drive with the MPEG boardand vice versa, no authentication is required. Also, when the DVD signalprocessing and MPEG decoding are carried out as internal processing inthe same LSI, no authentication is required since no connection tooutside is possible to do and it is also impossible to tap the signalsout of the data buses. In those cases, it is not necessary to provide aplurality of authenticating units and reproduction may be carried out byswitching among a plurality of the descrambling units.

According to the present invention, in the case of reproducing the datascrambled in respective manner to the types of the recording medium andthe copy control information, the corresponding authenticating unit toeach scrambling manner is properly switched. This makes it possible todo the descrambling operation according to the scrambling manner.Further, if no authentication is established, the data output isstopped. It is thus possible to prevent the illegally copied data frombeing recorded and reproduced.

In addition, the incorporation of these functions on the same LSI makesit difficult to pick up the data on the transmitting way.

1. A reproducing method of receiving and reproducing data and outputtingthe data into an external device, said reproducing method comprising thesteps of: after reproducing the data, selecting, from a plurality ofdescrambling methods, a descrambling method corresponding to a type ofsaid reproduced data; authenticating said external device by anauthenticating method which is included in a plurality of authenticatingmethods for authenticating said external device and corresponds to theselected descrambling method; and outputting said data.
 2. A reproducingmethod of receiving data outputted from an external device andreproducing the data, said reproducing method comprising the steps of:selecting, from a plurality of descrambling methods, a descramblingmethod corresponding to a type of said received data; authenticatingsaid external device by an authenticating method which is included in aplurality of authenticating methods for authenticating said externaldevice and corresponds to the selected descrambling method; receivingthe data outputted from said external device after the authentication ismade certain; and reproducing said received data.
 3. The datareproducing method according to claim 2, wherein when the received datahas been scrambled, the received data is descrambled by a descramblingmethod corresponding to said authenticating method selected from aplurality of descrambling methods.
 4. A data reproducing apparatus forreceiving and reproducing data and outputting the data to an externaldevice, said data reproducing apparatus comprising: reproducing meansfor reproducing said data; a plurality of descrambling means fordescrambling said data; a plurality of authenticating means forauthenticating said apparatus with said external device; and selectingmeans for selecting a descrambling means from said plurality ofdescrambling means, wherein said selecting means selects, from saidplurality of descrambling means, a descrambling means corresponding to atype of the data reproduced by said reproducing means and wherein anauthenticating means corresponding to said selected descrambling means,selected from said plurality of authenticating means, authenticates saidexternal device and outputs said data to said external device.
 5. Thedata reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of saidplurality of descrambling means is selected based on information forindicating a type of a recording medium.
 6. The data reproducingapparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of said plurality ofdescrambling means is selected based on information for indicating adata type, such as if said data is a video signal, an audio signal, astill picture signal, a program code, or any other data.
 7. The datareproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of saidplurality of descrambling means is selected based on copy controlinformation contained in said data.
 8. The data reproducing apparatus asclaimed in claim 4, wherein one of said plurality of descrambling meansis selected based on a combination of information for indicating a typeof a recording medium and copy control information contained in saiddata.
 9. The data reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, whereinsaid information for indicating a type of a recording medium includesinformation for indicating that the recording medium is areproduction-dedicated or recordable one, and said copy controlinformation includes information for indicating if the data iscopy-free, copy-prohibited, or copy-permitted for one generation. 10.The data reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein saidcombination of information includes a combination of three kinds ofinformation, that is, the information for indicating the medium isreproduction-dedicated, the information for indicating the medium isrecordable and if the data is copy-prohibited or copy-permitted for justone generation, and the information for indicating the medium isrecordable and if the data is copy-free.
 11. A semiconductor chipwherein said reproducing means, said authenticating means and saidselecting means in the data reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 4are provided.
 12. An apparatus for receiving data outputted from anexternal device and reproducing the data, said reproducing apparatuscomprises: a plurality of descrambling means for descrambling said data;a plurality of authenticating means for authenticating said externaldevice; selecting means for selecting one of said plurality ofdescrambling means; and reproducing means for reproducing said data,wherein, of said plurality of descrambling means, a descrambling methodcorresponding to a type of said data is used so that, of said pluralityof authenticating means, an authenticating means corresponding to a typeof said corresponding descrambling means authenticates said externaldevice and outputs said data after the authentication is made certainand that said reproducing means reproduces the data outputted by saidauthenticating means having authenticated said external device.
 13. Thedata reproducing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 is a reproducingapparatus arranged to reproduce compressed video data and wherein saidreproducing apparatus further includes means for detecting additionalinformation added to the data reproduced by said reproducing means. 14.The data reproducing apparatus described in claim 13, wherein saidreproducing means controls the output of said data based on saidadditional information if said additional information is copy controlinformation.
 15. A reproducing apparatus having a plurality of datareproducing apparatuses for reproducing data by sending and receivingthe data to and from each other based on the authentication with eachother, wherein said plurality of data reproducing apparatuses eachinclude a plurality of descrambling means for scrambling data and aplurality of authenticating means, wherein said reproducing apparatusselects descrambling means which are included in said plurality of datareproducing apparatuses and correspond to a type of said data andauthenticate each other by authenticating means which are included insaid plurality of authenticating means and correspond to said selecteddescrambling means.
 16. A recording method for receiving inputted dataoutputted from an external device and recording the data, wherein saidinputted data may or may not have been scrambled corresponding to a typeof said inputted data, said recording method comprising the steps of:authenticating said external device by means of an authenticating methodcorresponding to a type of scrambling of said inputted data, selectedfrom a plurality of authenticating methods for authenticating saidexternal device, inputting the data outputted from said external deviceand recording said inputted data after the authentication is madecertain.
 17. A data coding apparatus for coding inputted data andoutputting said coded data to an external device, said data codingapparatus comprising: coding means for coding said inputted data; aplurality of authenticating means for authenticating said externaldevice; and selecting means for selecting an authenticating means fromsaid plurality of authenticating means, wherein said inputted data mayor may not have been scrambled corresponding to a type of said inputteddata, wherein said selecting means selects an authenticating meanscorresponding to a type of scrambling of said data from said pluralityof authenticating means and said selected authenticating meansauthenticates said external device and outputs said coded data.
 18. Thedata coding apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein one of saidplurality of authenticating means is selected based on information forindicating a type of a recording medium on which the data is to berecorded and in correspondence to the scrambling of the data.
 19. Thedata coding apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein one of saidplurality of authenticating means is selected based on copy controlinformation and in correspondence to the scrambling of the data.
 20. Thedata coding apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein one of saidplurality of authenticating means is selected based on a combination ofthe information for indicating a type of the recording medium on whichthe data is to be recorded and copy control information for the data tobe recorded and in correspondence to the scrambling of the data.
 21. Thedata coding apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of saidplurality of authenticating means includes scrambling means forexecuting a scrambling process corresponding to a combination of theinformation for indicating a type of said recording medium and the copycontrol information for the data to be recorded.
 22. The data codingapparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the information for indicatinga type of said recording medium includes information for indicating ifthe medium is reproduction-dedicated or recordable, and the copy controlinformation for the data to be recorded contains information forindicating if the data is copy-free, or is copy-prohibited, orcopy-permitted for only one generation.
 23. The data coding apparatus asclaimed in claim 22, wherein said combination includes at least twoinformation, that is, information for indicating if the medium isrecordable and copy-prohibited or copy-permitted for only one generationand information for indicating if the medium is recordable and iscopy-free.
 24. The data coding apparatus as claimed in claim 17 is adata coding apparatus arranged to code and compress video data andfurther including detecting means for detecting additional informationadded to the data coded by said coding means and wherein saidauthenticating means controls the output of sad coded data along theadditional information detected by said detecting means.
 25. A datarecording apparatus for receiving inputted data outputted from anexternal device and recording said data, said data recording apparatuscomprising: a plurality of authenticating means for authenticating saidexternal device; selecting means for selecting an authenticating meansfrom said plurality of authenticating means; recording means forrecording said data; and wherein said inputted data may or may not havebeen scrambled corresponding to a type of said inputted data, wherein anauthenticating means corresponding to a type of scrambling of saidinputted data, selected from said plurality of authenticating means,authenticates said external device and outputs said data after theauthentication is made certain, and said recording means records thedata outputted by said authenticating means having authenticated saidexternal device.
 26. A recording apparatus comprising: a data codingapparatus and a data recording apparatus, wherein said data codingapparatus comprising: coding means for coding inputted data; a pluralityof authenticating means for authenticating an external device; andselecting means for selecting an authenticating means from saidplurality of authenticating means, wherein said inputted data may or maynot have been scrambled corresponding to a type of said inputted data,wherein said selecting means selects an authenticating meanscorresponding to a type of scrambling of said data from said pluralityof authenticating means and said selected authenticating meansauthenticates said external device and outputs said coded data, andwherein said data recording apparatus comprising: a plurality of anotherauthenticating means for authenticating said external device; selectingmeans for selecting an another authenticating means from said pluralityof another authenticating means; recording means for recording saiddata; and wherein an another authenticating means corresponding to atype of scrambling of said inputted data, selected from said pluralityof another authenticating means, authenticates said external device andoutputs said data after the authentication is made certain, and, whereinsaid recording means records the data outputted by said anotherauthenticating means having authenticated said external device, andwherein the authenticating means of said data coding apparatus and theanother authenticating means of said data recording apparatus areselected and operate to authenticate each other for transferring thedata and recording said data.
 27. A data processing apparatus having aplurality of data processing means for sending/receiving data through adata bus, wherein said data may or may not have been scrambledcorresponding to a type of said data, and wherein said plurality of dataprocessing means each include a plurality of authenticating means andsaid data processing means are authenticated with each other by means ofan authenticating means corresponding to a type of the scrambling of thedata to be transferred.
 28. The data processing apparatus as claimed inclaim 27, wherein said authenticating means executes said authenticationbefore transferring said data and, if all the authentications are notsuccessful, stops the data output to said data bus.
 29. The dataprocessing apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said authenticatingmeans executes an authentication corresponding to a type of said databefore transferring said data and, if one or more data processing meansare not successfully authenticated, stops the data output to the databus.
 30. The data processing apparatus as claimed in claim 27, whereinsaid authenticating means executes an authentication corresponding to atype of said data before transferring said data and, if one or more dataprocessing means are not successfully authenticated, limits the type ofthe data to be outputted to the data bus.
 31. The data processingapparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said authenticating meansexecutes an authentication corresponding to a type of said data beforetransferring said data and, if one or more data processing means are notsuccessfully authenticated, limits the type of the data to be outputtedto the data bus to the successfully authenticated device.
 32. The dataprocessing apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein said authenticatingmeans executes an authentication corresponding to a type of said databefore transferring said data and, if one or more data processing meansare not successfully authenticated, outputs the data only if the data tobe outputted to the data bus is copy-free information.
 33. Anauthenticating method for a plurality of devices for transferring dataamong said devices, wherein said data may or may not have been scrambledcorresponding to a type of said data, and wherein an authenticatingmethod corresponding to a type of said data is selected from a pluralityof authenticating methods to authenticate said devices with each other.